Tennis ball retrieval device

ABSTRACT

A tennis ball retrieval device comprises a receptacle having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls. An access arrangement normally in substantially horizontal planar position is provided in the bottom of the receptacle for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle and for preventing balls in the receptacle from falling out. The access arrangement comprises an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle.

United States Patent [1 91 Seewagen et al.

[ 1 June 28, 1974 1 TENNIS BALL RETRIEVAL DEVICE [76] Inventors: George L. Seewagen; John A.

Markisz, both of 579 W. 215th St., New York, NY. 10034 [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 316,057 I [52] US. Cl. 294/19 A, 56/328 R [51] int. Cl. A0lg 19/00, A47f 13/06 [58] Field of Search..... 294/19 A; 56/328; 211/181; 248/126, 175, 470, 471

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,972,851 2/1961 Goehring 294/19 A X 3,046,044 7/1962 Christle 294/19 A 3,371,950 3/1968 Stap 294/19 A X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS.

152,771 11/1903 Germany 294/19 A Primary Examiner-Ev0n C. Blunk Assistant Examin erJohnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick v [5 7] ABSTRACT A tennis ball retrieval device comprises a receptacle having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls. An access arrangement normally in substantially horizontal planar positionis provided in the bottom of the receptacle for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle and for preventing balls in the receptacle from falling out. The access arrangement comprises an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures TENNIS BALL RETRIEVAL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tennis ball retrieval device.

Presently utilized tennis ball retrieval devices are heavy and uncomfortable to carry and to use since the user must continually stoop in order to retrieve balls and in order to select a retrieved ball. If the user must stoop or bend over to retrieve his tennis balls and then stoop or bend over to select a retrieved ball for use, and if the retrieval device is heavy and uncomfortable to carry, it would be easier for a potential user to dispense with the device altogether. In such case, the tennis players ball retriever merely stoops down, picks up each ball as he approaches it, and drops the balls in a bucket which he holds as he walks around looking for balls. v

The principal object of the invention is to provide a tennis ball retrieval device of simple structure, which overcomes the disadvantages of the known devices.

An object of the invention is to provide a tennis ball retrieval device which is lightweight and comfortable to carry and to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tennis ball retrieval device which is used with rapidity, facility, comfort and convenience to retrieve and select retrieved balls for use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tennis ball retrieval device which is used to retrieve and select retrieved balls for use without requiring stopping or bending over of the user.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tennis ball retrieval device which functions efficiently, effectively and reliably to retrieve tennis balls, without distortion stooping the balls.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a tennis ball retrieval device comprises receptacle means having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls. Access means normally in substantially horizontal planar position is provided in the bottom of the receptacle means for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle means'and for preventing balls in the receptacle means from falling out. The access means comprises an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle means to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to its normal position to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle means.

The access device of the access means comprises rod means affixed to and extending across the bottom of the receptacle means. Member means is pivotally mounted on the rod means for axial rotation thereabout in directions into the receptacle means. Retention means is provided in the receptacle means for limiting the rotation of the member means to a predetermined angle.

In one embodiment, the access device of the access means comprises rod means 'affixed to and extending across the bottom of the receptacle means, substantially resilient member means affixed to the rod means and retention means affixed to the receptacle means for limiting the movement of the resilient member means into the receptacle means to a predetermined extent and for limiting the movementof the resilient member means in the opposite direction to a substantially horizontal plane. In another embodiment, the member means returns to its normal position under the force of gravity. In still another embodiment, the access device further comprises spring means on the rod means for urging the member means to its normal position.

Bidirectionally extendable support means are movably affixed to the receptacle means and are securable in one position for supporting the receptacle means at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top of receptacle means and are securable in another position for facilitating manually carrying of the receptacle means in suspension from the support means. The support means comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped members each rotatably mounted on a corresponding side of the receptacle means for rotation to a position in which it extends substantially full length beneath the receptacle means and to another position in'which it extends substantially full length above the receptacle means. Securing means affixed to the receptacle means secures the U-shaped members in each position.

The receptacle means comprises a wire frame having a sleeve of plastic material affixed thereto. 7 In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the access device comprises a central .rod affixed to and extending across the bottom of the receptacle means equidistantly from the sides thereof. Two groups of a plurality of hinges are coaxially pivotally mounted on the central rod in juxtaposition for axial rotation thereabout. One group of hinges extends toward one side of the receptacle means and the other group of hinges extends toward the other side of the receptacle means. A first pairof retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof are provided in the receptacle means and are affixed thereto for limiting the rotation of the hinges into the receptacle means to a predetermined extent. A second pair of retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof are affixed to the receptacle means for limiting the rotation of the hinges in the opposite direction to a substantially horizontal plane.

Each of the rods of the first pair of retention rods is so positioned relative to the central rod and each of the hinges" is so dimensioned that when the hinges are rotated to the predetermined extent into the receptacle BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the tennis ball retrieval device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the tennis ball retrieval device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a receptacle of the tennis ball retrieval device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the lines IV IV, of FIG. 1;

FIG. is a sectional view of another embodiment of the access device'of the tennis ball retrieval device of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the access device of the tennis ball retrieval device of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the access device of the tennis ball retrieval device of the invention.

In the figures, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The tennis ball retrieval device of the invention comprises a receptacle 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) having an open top 2 (FIG. 3) and a substantially open bottom 3 (FIG. 3) for holding a plurality of tennis balls. The receptacle 1 may comprise any suitable arrangement such as, for example, a wire basket without a bottom, a wire frame having a sleeve of plastic material affixed thereto, as shown in FIG. 3, or the like. The material of the receptacle 1 may be transparent, translucent or opaque. In order to enhance the clarity of illustration, only the frame of the receptacle 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

An access arrangement, which is normally in substantially horizontal planar position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, and by solid lines in FIG. 4, is provided in the bottom 3 of the receptacle 1 for admitting tennis balls, of which one ball 4 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, into the receptacle and for preventing balls in the receptacle from falling out. The access arrangement comprises an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle 1 to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to its normal position to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the access device comprises a central rod 5 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7) affixed to and extending across the bottom 3 (FIG. 3) of the receptacle 1 equidistantly from the sides 6 and 7 thereof (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). Two groups 8 and 9 (FIGS. 1 and 4) of a plurality of hinges are coaxially mounted on the central rod 5 in juxtaposition for axial rotation about said rod. One group of hinges 8 extends toward the side 6 of the receptacle 1 and the other group of hinges 9 extends toward the other side 7 of said receptacle.

A first pair of retention rods 11 and 12, substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod 5 on each side thereof, are provided in the receptacle 1 and are affixed to the receptacle (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The first pair of retention rods 11 and 12 limit the rotation of the hinges of the groups of hinges 8 and 9 into the receptacle 1 to a predetermined extent, determined by the positions of said retention rods.

A second pair of retention rods 13 and 14, substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod 5 on each side thereof, are affixed to the receptacle 1 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The second pair of retention rods 13 and 14 limit the rotation of the hinges of the groups of hinges 8 and 9 in the opposite direction, indicated by an arrow 15 (FIG. 4) to a substantially horizontal plane.

Each of the rods 11 and 12 of the first pair of retention rods is so positioned relative to the central rod 5 and each of the hinges of the groups of hinges 8 and 9 is so dimensioned, all of the hinges having the same dimensions, that when the hinges are rotated to the predetermined extent into the receptacle 1, as indicated by the broken line hinges in FIG. 4, the maximum ingress space provided between each hinge and the corresponding side of the receptacle, represented by rods 16 and 17 in FIGS. 4 and 7, is equal to or slightly larger in width than the diameter d of the tennis ball 4. The tennis ball 4 thus enters the receptacle 1 without distortion.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 4, the hinges of the groups of hinges 8 and 9 return to their normal positions under the force of gravity.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the access device further comprises two groups of a plurality of springs such as, for example, groups of spiral springs 18 and Y19 (FIG. 5), on the central rod 5 for urging the hinges to their normal positions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the hinges are replaced by a pair of substantially resilient members or two groups of a plurality of substantially resilient members 21 and 22 (FIG. 6) affixed to the central rod 5. The resilient members 21 and 22 may comprise, for example, rubber, plastic material, or the like. The retention rods 11, 12, 13 and 14 function in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIGS." 1 and 4.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, an additional pair of groups 23 and 24 of a plurality of hinges are provided. The group of hinges 23 are coaxially mounted on the side rod 16 in juxtaposition for axial rotation about said rod and extend toward the group of hinges 8. The group of hinges 24 are coaxially mounted on the side rod 17 in juxtaposition for axial rotation about said rod and extend toward the group of hinges 9 (FIG. 7

A third pair of retention rods 25 and 26 (FIG. 7), substantially parallel to and spaced from the side rods 16 and 17, are provided in the receptacle 1 and are affixed to the receptacle (not shown in FIG. 7).'The third pair of retention rods 25 and 26 limit the rotation of the hinges of the groups of hinges 23 and 24 into the receptacle 1 to a predetermined extent, determined by the positions of said retention rods (FIG. 7).

A fourth pair of retention rods 27 and 28 (FIG. 7), substantially parallel to and spaced from the side rods 16 and 17, are affixed to the receptacle 1 (not shown in FIG. 7). The fourth pair of retention rods 27 and 28 limit the rotation of the hinges of the groups of hinges 23 and 24 in the opposite direction, indicated by an arrow 29 (FIG. 7) to a substantially horizontal plane.

The access arrangement of FIG. 7 operates in essentially the same manner as that of FIGS. 1 and 4, with the exception that an entering tennis ball (not shown in- FIG. 7) moves a corresponding hinge of each of the group of hinges 8 and 23 or a corresponding hinge of each of the group of hinges 9 and 24 and gains egress via the space provided between each set of corresponding hinges.

Bidirectionally extendable supports 31 and 32 (FIGS.- 1 and 2) are movably affixed to the receptacle 1. The supports 31 and 32 are securable in one position, shown in FIG. 1, for supporting the receptacle 1 at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top 2 (FIG. 3) of the receptacle. The supports 31 and 32 are securable in another position, shown in FIG. 2, for facilitating manually carrying of the receptacle 1 in suspension from said supports;

Each of the supports 31 and 32 comprises a substantially U-shaped member (FIG. 1), which preferably has substantially squared corners. Each of the U-shaped members 31 and 32 is rotatably mounted on a corresponding side 6 and 7, respectively, of the receptacle 1. Each of the members 31 and 32 is rotatable to a position in which it extends substantially full length beneath the receptacle 1, as shown in FIG. 1, and to another position in which it extends substantially full length above the receptacle 1, as shown in FIG. 2.

Each of the support members 31 and 32 may be rotatably mounted on a side rod of the receptacle in any suitable manner. Thus, each of the members 31 and 32 may be looped at its free ends around a corresponding side rod of the receptacle 1, as'shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The uppermost and lowermost side rods on each side of the receptacle 1 are bent at their ends and turned inward toward each other, as shown in FIG. 1, to form securing parts to secure the U-shaped members 31 and 32 in each position. The uppermost side rods 33 and 34 thus form securing parts 35, 36 and 37, 38 (FIG. 1) to secure the U shaped members 31 and 32 in their upwardly extending positions, shown in FIG. 2. The lowermost'siderods 39 and 41 thus form securing parts 42, 43 and 44, 45 (FIG. 1) to secure the U-shaped members 31 and 32 in their downwardly extending positions, shown in FIG. 1.

To retrieve balls, the support members 31 and 32 are secured in their upwardly extending positions and are grasped manually by the user. Wherever he sees a ball, the user merely positions the receptacle 1 over the ball and permits said receptacle to settle over the ball. The ball enters the receptacle 1 via the space between the lowermost side rod 39 and a hinge of the group of.

hinges 8, or via the space between the lowermost side rod 41 and a hinge of the group of hinges 9. As soon as the ball enters the receptacle 1, the hinge which had moved to admit it returns to its normally substantially horizontal position and prevents the ball from falling out of the receptacle.v

To select a retrieved ball for play, the support members 31 and 32 are secured in their downwardly extending positions, so that they support the receptacle 1 at a convenient height above the ground. The user need merely reach into the receptacle and select a ball.

The tennis ball retriever is thus utilized without stooping or bending, and with full convenience, facility and comfort.

Thp tennis ball retriever of the invention may be utilized to retrieve otherballs than tennis balls, of course, or, for that matter, any suitably shaped objects such as, for example, fruit.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, we do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

l. A tennis ball retrieval device, comprising receptacle means having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls; and

access means normally in substantially horizontal means from falling out, said access means comprising an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle means to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to its normal position to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle means; and

bidirectionally extendable support means movably affixed to the receptacle means and being securable in one position for supporting the receptacle means at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top of receptacle means and being securable in another position for facilitating manually carrying of the receptacle means in suspension from the support means.

2. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped members each rotatably mounted on a corresponding side of the receptacle means for rotation to a position in which itextends substantially full length beneaththereceptacle means and to another position in which it extends substantially full length above the receptacle means, and securing means affixed to the receptacle means for securing the U- shaped members in each position.

3. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle means comprises a wire frame having a sleeve of plastic material affixed thereto.

4. A tennis ball retrieval device, comprising receptacle means having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls; andaccess means normally in substantially horizontal planar position in the bottom of the receptacle means for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle means and for preventing ballsin the receptaclemeans from falling out, said access means comprising an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle means to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnableto its normal position to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle means, the access device comprising a central rod affixed to and extending across the bottom of the receptacle means equidistantly from the sides thereof, two groups of a plurality of hinges coaxially pivotally mounted on the central rod in juxtaposition for axial rotation thereabout, one group of hinges extending toward one side of the receptacle means and the other group of hinges extending toward the other side of the receptacle means, a first pair of retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof in the receptacle means and affixed thereto for limiting the rotation of the hinges into the receptacle means to a predetermined. extent and a second pair of retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof affixed to the receptacle means for limiting the rotation of the hinges in the opposite direction to a substantially horizontal plane.

5. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the rods of the first pair of retention rods is so positioned relative to the central rod and each of the hinges is so dimensioned that when the hinges are rotated to the predetermined extent into the receptacle means, the maximum ingress space provided between each hinge and the corresponding side of the receptacle means is equal to or slightly larger in width than the diameter of a tennis ball and a tennis ball enters the receptacle means without distortion. 7

6. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising bidirectionally extendable support means affixed to the receptacle means and being securable in one position for supporting the receptacle means at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top of receptacle means and being securable in another 

1. A tennis ball retrieval device, comprising receptacle means having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls; and access means normally in substantially horizontal planar position in the bottom of the receptacle means for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle means and for preventing balls in the receptacle means from falling out, said access means comprising an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle means to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to its normal position to prevent the egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle means; and bidirectionally extendable support means movably affixed to the receptacle means and being securable in one position for supporting the receptacle means at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top of receptacle means and being securable in another position for facilitating manually carrying of the receptacle means in suspension from the support means.
 2. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped members each rotatably mounted on a corresponding side of the receptacle means for rotation to a position in which it extends substantially full length beneath the receptacle means and to another position in which it extends substantially full length above the receptacle means, and securing means affixed to the receptacle means for securing the U-shaped members in each position.
 3. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle means comprises a wire frame having a sleeve of plastic material affixed thereto.
 4. A tennis ball retrieval device, comprising receptacle means having an open top and a substantially open bottom for holding a plurality of tennis balls; and access means normally in substantially horizontal planar position in the bottom of the receptacle means for admitting tennis balls into the receptacle means and for preventing balls in the receptacle means from falling out, said access means comprising an access device yieldable under the pressure of a tennis ball in a direction into the receptacle means to permit the entry of a tennis ball thereinto and instantly returnable to its normal position to prevent tHe egress of a tennis ball from the receptacle means, the access device comprising a central rod affixed to and extending across the bottom of the receptacle means equidistantly from the sides thereof, two groups of a plurality of hinges coaxially pivotally mounted on the central rod in juxtaposition for axial rotation thereabout, one group of hinges extending toward one side of the receptacle means and the other group of hinges extending toward the other side of the receptacle means, a first pair of retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof in the receptacle means and affixed thereto for limiting the rotation of the hinges into the receptacle means to a predetermined extent and a second pair of retention rods substantially parallel to and spaced from the central rod on each side thereof affixed to the receptacle means for limiting the rotation of the hinges in the opposite direction to a substantially horizontal plane.
 5. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the rods of the first pair of retention rods is so positioned relative to the central rod and each of the hinges is so dimensioned that when the hinges are rotated to the predetermined extent into the receptacle means, the maximum ingress space provided between each hinge and the corresponding side of the receptacle means is equal to or slightly larger in width than the diameter of a tennis ball and a tennis ball enters the receptacle means without distortion.
 6. A tennis ball retrieval device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising bidirectionally extendable support means affixed to the receptacle means and being securable in one position for supporting the receptacle means at a predetermined distance above the ground to facilitate manual removal of tennis balls via the open top of receptacle means and being securable in another position for facilitating manually carrying of the receptacle means in suspension from the support means, said support means comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped members each rotatably mounted on a corresponding side of the receptacle means for rotation to a position in which it extends substantially full length beneath the receptacle means and to another position in which it extends substantially full length above the receptacle means, and securing means affixed to the receptacle means for securing the U-shaped members in each position. 